Rexyback

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 15, 2007 4:00PM

I'm bringin' Rexy back
That other boy threw just as many picks
I think Rexy's special... he's my quarterback
He can turn around our team or I'll take the flack

So maybe Lovie Smith didn't perform a parody of Justin Timberlake's hit song, but the Bears' head coach did announce to the press on Wednesday that he was changing quarterbacks again and that Rex Grossman will start when the Bears face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Lovie didn't make his official announcement to the press at 4pm, which lead to an awkward moment for Brian Griese as he came off the practice field not knowing that the Trib had already leaked the story. Informed of the news earlier in the day by Smith, Griese nonetheless denied knowing his status to the assembled reporters ahead of Lovie's official announcement.

While Griese left Sunday's game in Oakland with a shoulder injury, the bruise to his non-throwing shoulder is not serious enough to keep him out of action. So Lovie's move was based on Rex's performance in relief. Did Lovie violate the "unwritten" rule that players don't lose starting jobs due to injury? Chicagoist just wants to see the best players on the field. Those that give the team the best shot at winning. But does Rex Grossman qualify?

On the other hand, he did beat the Seahawks twice last season, racking up 65 points in those two games. In truth, Griese had not been much of an improvement over Grossman.

The question we have now is: How many games before Grossman makes way for Kyle Orton? As 4-5, maybe playoffs are still a possibility -- however slim they might actually be. But how many more losses before the season is officially lost and it's time to look toward the future. Griese's not the long term answer. Rex isn't either. Maybe Orton is, but we won't know unless we have a chance to see him play.

Photo by AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh.